章節 6: The deal
"Can you even imagine what the press would say if you were spotted like this?" Leo Thorne said as soon as he was alone with May. "They would wonder why are you trembling, and it's a matter of time before they find out about the aggression. I don't need that kind of publicity right now. I wouldn't be able to turn it to my advantage since we're formally forbidden from having public speeches."
May stared at the cup in her hands. It was warming down, and the scent had disappeared since the moment she had seen her grandfather. It was proof that all her problems were in the nerves and not in the muscles. Just seeing him made her lose any taste.
"I will hire a specialist for you once elections are over. You can meet with Doctor Bayes as soon as he has time for it. He'll help you out."
"I don't need to talk with Doctor Bayes," she said. "I will be fine! Just let me go home."
"An alternative is to send you abroad. Until we're sure you've a hundred per cent healed. That would avoid any scandal at all, except those related to your departure. But I can handle that very well."
"Abroad... Not abroad," she sighed.
She wouldn't have been able to meet her mother and little sister if she left. It was the most effective threat the Prime Minister had at his disposal, and the simple fact that he was using it made May realise he had a wicked plan in mind.
"What am I supposed to do?" she asked, leaving the cup on the table to stop that annoying trembling. Her grandfather had just assumed it was an after-effect of shock.
"For the moment, just stay here and let him take care of you."
"Why? Do you think Senator Lindt will be as distracted by me? That he'll be too busy taking care of a patient to battle with you? What is it that you're hoping to attain?"
"You can't consider only the short term, May," he said. "What I have in mind is a long-term plan. You'll be able to help the family, finally."
"How?"
"By staying by Senator Lindt's side."
"Why? Do you want me to steal information about the Governor's elections?"
"That? Oh, don't be silly," he chuckled. "The Governor elections are over, now. Your uncle will be confirmed, of course. Senator Lindt is still too young to beat our family. But he will become a problem in the future. That's why I want you here."
"Am I even your blood?" she asked. "How can you ask me this, grandfather?"
She glared with all of her might, knowing very well her grandfather wouldn't bat an eye at her expression.
"You're overdramatic. Also, being a Thorne comes with responsibilities towards the family. If you want to have our surname, you shall earn it."
"By hooking up with people you find useful? That kind of help?"
Since he didn't reply, she had to continue the conversation on her own.
"I want something in return."
"Are you bargaining?" Leo Thorne scoffed.
"No, just stating conditions."
They exchanged a long glance, and the Prime Minister was the first to give up.
"In two years, Hollie will start middle school. I want her to attend my former school. She has the capabilities to succeed there, and I'm not worried about the entrance test. What concerns me is the fee."
"I'll take care of it," Leo Thorne scoffed, rolling his eyes. May's attachment to that girl was quite bothersome. "I give you my word."
"You'll take care of her education until she ends university. And you'll make it discreetly, without anyone knowing. I'm sure you can come up with an idea on your own, Prime Minister Thorne. As long as my mother doesn't suspect."
Leo Thorne's unhappiness was visible in his expression, but he needed May's cooperation for the future. As such, he accepted.
In the end, it was a low price to pay to have someone control Chris Lindt for him. A strike of luck had given them that possibility, and he wasn't going to let go for something as valueless as May's love for her little sister.
"Deal," he said. Then, as if there was nothing more to talk about, he got up and walked to the door.
He met Chris Lindt at the door. He was going to bring them more hot water for the tea.
"Already leaving?" he hummed, noticing how Leo Thorne had the exact same expression he would show after striking a deal or passing a law he cared about especially.
"I have to run a country," he said. "There's no things as a week of vacancy, for me."
"Sure... That must be hard," Chris said, following him out with his gaze. He had to run a company too, so he hadn't been on break for real. But if Leo Thorne liked to think he was the only one working, so be it.
He approached May on the armchair, his political instinct telling him it was the right thing to do. He moved a lock of her hair away from her face, daring to do so only because he had been as close as to carry her from the couch to the bed and back a few times already.
She didn't push his hand away, which was enough confirmation for what he suspected: Leo Thorne had noticed how Chris felt, and for that reason, he had left May there.
It also made Chris tremble in rage. What kind of grandfather would leave his granddaughter with a man he had confirmed had unclear interests?
"How are you feeling?" he asked. He stood there, at the perfect angle for the Prime Minister to witness their exchange before turning the corner.
"Just a little tired," May replied, and he could feel a thousand meanings in her four words. Tired of what? Sitting there? Listening to her family?
Being ignored or forced to stay where she didn't want to?
There was so much he wished to know.
"He's gone, you can let go now," she said, and Chris woke up from his daze.
He let his arm drop and sat opposite of her.
"You know what he asked of me, don't you?" she said.
Her eyes held a whole storm of emotions, from rage to shame. She didn't like being in that position, and Chris felt guilty for enjoying it so much. He had accepted to host her for a few days because the thought of letting her go hurt him. They would likely never meet again, but he wanted more time with her.
"Not word by word, but I know Leo Thorne enough to guess," he said.
"I don't understand..."
"What, exactly?"
"Too many things! First of all, why are you accepting? And, second, how does the Prime Minister think you won't see through his plan?"
"He knows I'll find out in no time," he chuckled. "He's just betting that I won't care. It's a safe bet, for him. In the worst-case scenario, the only one getting hurt is you."
"Oh, that's right," she sighed. "I'm really bad with politics."
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